Obama turns out for Biden

PHILADELPHIA: Former US president Barack Obama returned to the campaign trail yesterday, launching a blistering attack on Donald Trump with less than two weeks to go before the Republican president’s election day faceoff with Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

Speaking at a drivein rally in Philadelphia on behalf of his former vicepresident, Obama offered his fiercest critique yet of his successor, taking aim at Trump’s divisive rhetoric and his track record in the Oval Office.

‘‘He hasn’t shown any interest in doing the work or helping anybody but himself,’’ Obama said.

Obama, who remains one of the most popular figures in the Democratic Party, blasted Trump for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

‘‘Donald Trump isn’t suddenly going to protect all of us,’’ he said. ‘‘He can’t even take the basic steps to protect himself.’’

Biden has stayed at home in Delaware since Monday for meetings and preparation ahead of his debate with Trump today in Nashville, Tennessee.

Americans are voting early at a record pace this year, with 42 million ballots cast both via mail and in person ahead of the November 3 election on concerns about coronavirus and to make sure their votes are counted.

The record early vote so far represents about 30% of the total ballots cast in 2016, according to the University of Florida’s US Elections Project.

After Obama spoke, Trump held a rally in North Carolina, another battleground state where opinion polls show a tight race.

Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris, was also in North Carolina to mobilise voters in Asheville and Charlotte. — Reuters